Lynn Burke
08-28-2007, 06:50 PM
2006: 2-8 overall, 1-8 in the Peninsula District.
COACH: John Byron (third year, 2-18).
SCHOOL COLORS: Purple and gold.
SCHOOL PHONE: 886-7722.
WEB SITE: mville.nn.k12.va.us/
HOME STADIUM: Todd
LAST YEAR IN PLAYOFFS: 1993.
FAMOUS ALUMS: David Macklin, Al Toon, Robert Hunt.
KEY RETURNEES
Steve Crisp Sr. QB/DB 6-0/195
Odis Wesby Sr. RB 5-7/165
Don-L Whitehead Jr. RB/LB 5-9/180
Xavier Reid So. NG 5-10/250
Mario Thompson Jr. TE/DE 6-3/210
Brandon Hodges Sr. RB/LB 5-9/175
STANDOUT
Steve Crisp, QB/FS
He’s smart, athletic and tough — the very qualities any coach would want in his quarterback. And if you’re switching to the Flexbone offense, a triple-option formation that involves lots of precision, having that type of a leader is a must. “He’s a quarterback with a linebacker’s mentality,” coach John Byron said. Crisp primarily played receiver on offense last season. But this year, the offense is very much in his hands.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW
Going into his third season, Byron is ditching his preferred I-formation for an Air Force-like Flexbone, which he hopes can both utilize his team’s strength (quickness) and minimize its weaknesses (size). The smart and steady Steve Crisp will direct the offense, and the bulk of the carries will go to either Odis Wesby (373 yards, 2 TDs) or Don-L Whitehead (109, 0). The offensive line will go only 235 pounds per man, a key reason why Menchville is switching to the triple option.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW
Out with the 4-3, in with the 3-5, which Byron believes is best suited for this undersized group. The key player might be sophomore NG Xavier Reid, who Byron says has one of the quickest first steps he’s seen. Mario Thompson is back at DE, and the LBs are headed by Brandon Hodges and Whitehead. Crisp will double at FS, but the coaching staff is also excited about freshman Clifton Richardson.
OUTLOOK
The Monarchs went into last season with a 21-game losing streak, which they broke by beating Wilson in the opener. Then they snapped a 27-game Peninsula District losing streak by defeating Gloucester in the finale. Now, Byron hopes to take another step forward. It’s been 11 years since the Monarchs finished .500. It’s a lofty goal, but it just might be reachable if everything falls into place.
2007 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 at Heritage (4-6) 7
Sept. 8 at Wilson (0-10) 12
Sept. 13 Hampton (9-2) 7
Sept. 21 at Kecoughtan (4-6) 7
Sept. 28 Bethel (4-6) 7
Oct. 5 Warwick (5-5) 7
Oct. 13 Gloucester (1-9) 7
Oct. 18 at Phoebus (13-1) 7
Oct. 27 Denbigh (7-3) 1
Nov. 2 at Woodside (7-3) 7
2006 RESULTS
Wilson W, 25-6
Warwick L, 6-28
Bethel L, 6-28
Kecoughtan L, 7-20
Denbigh L, 13-14
Phoebus L, 28-35
Heritage L, 3-37
Woodside L, 8-44
Hampton L, 3-42
Gloucester W, 17-6
DAVE JOHNSON
COACH: John Byron (third year, 2-18).
SCHOOL COLORS: Purple and gold.
SCHOOL PHONE: 886-7722.
WEB SITE: mville.nn.k12.va.us/
HOME STADIUM: Todd
LAST YEAR IN PLAYOFFS: 1993.
FAMOUS ALUMS: David Macklin, Al Toon, Robert Hunt.
KEY RETURNEES
Steve Crisp Sr. QB/DB 6-0/195
Odis Wesby Sr. RB 5-7/165
Don-L Whitehead Jr. RB/LB 5-9/180
Xavier Reid So. NG 5-10/250
Mario Thompson Jr. TE/DE 6-3/210
Brandon Hodges Sr. RB/LB 5-9/175
STANDOUT
Steve Crisp, QB/FS
He’s smart, athletic and tough — the very qualities any coach would want in his quarterback. And if you’re switching to the Flexbone offense, a triple-option formation that involves lots of precision, having that type of a leader is a must. “He’s a quarterback with a linebacker’s mentality,” coach John Byron said. Crisp primarily played receiver on offense last season. But this year, the offense is very much in his hands.
OFFENSIVE OVERVIEW
Going into his third season, Byron is ditching his preferred I-formation for an Air Force-like Flexbone, which he hopes can both utilize his team’s strength (quickness) and minimize its weaknesses (size). The smart and steady Steve Crisp will direct the offense, and the bulk of the carries will go to either Odis Wesby (373 yards, 2 TDs) or Don-L Whitehead (109, 0). The offensive line will go only 235 pounds per man, a key reason why Menchville is switching to the triple option.
DEFENSIVE OVERVIEW
Out with the 4-3, in with the 3-5, which Byron believes is best suited for this undersized group. The key player might be sophomore NG Xavier Reid, who Byron says has one of the quickest first steps he’s seen. Mario Thompson is back at DE, and the LBs are headed by Brandon Hodges and Whitehead. Crisp will double at FS, but the coaching staff is also excited about freshman Clifton Richardson.
OUTLOOK
The Monarchs went into last season with a 21-game losing streak, which they broke by beating Wilson in the opener. Then they snapped a 27-game Peninsula District losing streak by defeating Gloucester in the finale. Now, Byron hopes to take another step forward. It’s been 11 years since the Monarchs finished .500. It’s a lofty goal, but it just might be reachable if everything falls into place.
2007 SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 at Heritage (4-6) 7
Sept. 8 at Wilson (0-10) 12
Sept. 13 Hampton (9-2) 7
Sept. 21 at Kecoughtan (4-6) 7
Sept. 28 Bethel (4-6) 7
Oct. 5 Warwick (5-5) 7
Oct. 13 Gloucester (1-9) 7
Oct. 18 at Phoebus (13-1) 7
Oct. 27 Denbigh (7-3) 1
Nov. 2 at Woodside (7-3) 7
2006 RESULTS
Wilson W, 25-6
Warwick L, 6-28
Bethel L, 6-28
Kecoughtan L, 7-20
Denbigh L, 13-14
Phoebus L, 28-35
Heritage L, 3-37
Woodside L, 8-44
Hampton L, 3-42
Gloucester W, 17-6
DAVE JOHNSON